One month doctor visit

   Last week Harlow had her 6 week appointment at the Doctors. Her health was perfect and the resident doctor loved her.
She has(d) a diaper rash and I'm attributing it to a sensitivity to Kirkland wipes. I used cloths on her behind and slathered her in zinc cream. It's clearing up nicely.
     
     Harlow might be getting teeth. The other day I noticed white buds. I can also feel bumps when I run my finger through her mouth. We'll see when they actually pop through.

     Since getting the ties released, she seems to generally be happier.
I think she's fitting in well.

Weight: 10.35lbs (+~2lbs)
Length: 21.85in (+~1.5")

Grows and Gains

I'm feeling all kinds of mommy guilt.
I went back in my blog to read about Kaelynn's first month, because Harlow's a month today.
Kaelynn was having weekly weigh ins from birth and just regained birth weight at a month and a half. At 1 month, she was 6lbs 9oz (7lbs 4oz at birth).
Due to her ties and my hormonal issues (PCOS), she just wasn't gaining fast enough. I didn't know what we could do to fix her. The lactation consultant we had, gave me bad information (same one for Harlow too).
I showed Jake the side by side of Harlow and he said "she looks good, she was too skinny".
I look at Kaelynn's pics and she was too skinny.
The things we know now. If I could, I would go back and fix Kaelynn's mouth too. Obviously, she's fine now..but that would explain why she never slept, constantly nursing and was only semi happy.

Big Girl Room

     The other day I heard Sleep Sheep over the baby monitor. I shouldn't have as it was on the shelf above her bed. I go upstairs, and she's scrambling to put it back. Busted. Grabbing for her sheep and stacking her bedding to open the window finally made Daddy decide to give her her own space. She's been sleeping throughout the night most nights and seems to be doing better alone.

     This weekend was the time. Daddy spent the morning rearranging our bedroom and her bedroom. I organized.
It was lunch and then nap time.

     She seemed impressed and confused. She went into our room and when asked where her bed was, she didn't know. She loved that she had Frozen wall decals, ALL her books, and the big chair.
     She wanted me to sit in her chair and wait for her after her book. When she was reading, I snuck out. She eventually had a 2 hour nap - I had to go wake her up around 4. She's currently up there with Daddy. Will tonight be a sleep through the night night? Will I have to stumble down the hall and over a baby gate to comfort her?

Quiet time

     Nap time has evolved from having to fall asleep on me, to having to breastfeed in bed, to being left in the bedroom alone.

     Nap time routine is now the same as Bed time. She crawls into bed and gets one story. Tucked in. Sleep Sheep on. Hug and kiss. I turn the monitor on and leave the room. Sometimes, she demands "on bed". I'll sit on our bed and then leave when she gets preoccupied. If I stay too long, she'll play.

      Sometimes she will read. Sometimes she will sleep. And sometimes she will do both after a while. Either way, she ends up getting about an hour of HER time and I can do whatever I want that's not toddler or even chore related.

23 weeks

     Starting to feel pregnant. Sitting on the floor, belly bouncing and just everyday things seem more complex. I even merged both baby's names when talking today. Oops. Staying up past 10pm is getting hard and staying awake during nap time too - I like ME time.

Getting crafty!!

     Jake's bday is upon us. He picked his one birthday gift, so he'd get the right headphones. It's not a real birthday unless there's a surprise.
     I have had The Daddy Massage Shirt pinned for a while and this was the perfect reason to make it.
     I printed out the the template and then added my own details, like bushes, bird, flowers, bday cake and a cat up a tree.
I used fabric markers and they have a learning curve. It's best to colour along the grain of the shirt (duh).

     The cost of the markers & 2 shirts from Michael's, with 40% one item coupon, came to $24something. Why 2 shirts? I'm going to make a tracing shirt for myself.

22 weeks

     I've gained about 15 lbs already (but haven't really been tracking, so I'm not sure if that's accurate).
     The round ligament pain is really getting to me. Being pregnant with a toddler in the winter sucks. If I go anywhere, I need to bring the stroller to carry the toddler and my stuff. It's awkward carrying bags and making her walk. It would also take a life time to get anywhere. There are MANY parts of town that aren't plowed, I have to push the stroller super hard or carry it over mini snow banks. Afterwards, all the pains.

     At my doctor's appointment yesterday, we're measuring accordingly. Due date is still on track for July 2 2015.
At the 18 week ultrasound, she was breech and I'm pretty sure she still is. I get super strong, painful belly button kicks.

21 weeks

Sleeping through

     I don't want to jinx anything, but I think she's finally sleeping through the night. It's been happening for about a month. Sometimes, she will wake up and leave her bed for a cuddle, but after 1 min I tell her to go back to bed and that I'm right here. She does go back, covers herself up and goes to sleep.

     I am hoping this bodes well for when we change the dressing room back into her bedroom. The next moving challenge will be fitting the dressers and a crib into our bedroom.

19 weeks

     With Kaelynn, I started taking weekly pics around this time to document her growth. I transferred them onto a canvas (granted backwards). I will do it again, obviously.

     I had my monthly check up and everything was good. They had to send my urine to the lab, however. I might have a UTI, only I have 0 symptoms.

Baby Beard

     I am currently about 16 weeks along. If I didn't know I was pregnant, I would just think I was getting fat.
     I have no real symptoms. O morning sickness this time around. It's a pleasant surprise. I couldn't imagine trying to vomit and hang out with a toddler. I have no real food cravings, but if someone mentions something, I want it. Heartburn and headaches are out of control. The mucus feeling in my chest and throat are worse this time around. Hot lemon water helps so many things.
      People keep asking me if Kaelynn.knows. She's not even 2. However, eve everything to her is a baby.

     At 14weeks, I'm sure I've felt movement, even if the doctor says I probably won't until now.

    

Christmas and New Years Eve.

     Tonight is NEW YEARS EVE and I am so behind in blogging. I swear there is a good reason for it. This 22.5 month old of mine never slows down.
     Words are coming along. When she talks, you can figure out what she wants. Sometimes, you have to think or look where she's pointing, but you'll understand. We're still planning on keeping her speech therapy appointment in May. One thing I've noticed she does is say a word twice: "Mum Mum" "hot hot".

     Christmas was great. Everyone got spoiled to the best of our ability and Kaelynn was spoiled beyond that. Gifts and love and food all over the place.
This year, it was a Frozen, My Little Pony, Lego Christmas. It's all over.
      Along with the Christmas gifts, I've been keeping a secret. I am currently about 14 weeks pregnant with #2. More on that in another post of it's own.

Halloween 2014

     Tonight was Halloween. It was super fun.
      Daddy decorated the drive way and I took Kaelynn out. Daddy, his friend Aaron, and Aunt Sarah scared children and handed out candy. Daddy said "the screams fueled him" - weirdo. Halloween is the only holiday he really likes, so I guess that's acceptable.
     I made our Halloween costumes and made the masks for the scarecrows in the driveway: one for Aaron and one for a dummy. I was really happy when people knew who we were supposed to be. Daddy said I chose something "obscure", but I think it was cool. Another mother gave me a high five because it was awesome and she had just introduced her daughter to Rainbow Brite. A garage of 3 guys around my age knew who we were before we got there. They were so excited and gave extra candy. As we got further down the street, I could still hear them talking about Rainbow Brite.
     We were given extra candy because Kaelynn was so cute. I asked her to say please (peaaaas) and thank you (yoooou *with big puckered lips). One woman even told her to pick all she wanted, we were there a while. We hit almost all the houses in our complex that had their lights on before arriving home again. Some houses even warned us about "the scary house around the corner". I thanked them and said we lived there. They loved it- cute costumes and a scary house.
     We came home. Watched some Curious George and had warm drinks before a warm bubble bath. We split a fun size package of Smarties and went to bed. She has been asleep a while, daddy and his friend are playing video games and I am about ready to pass out.

     Happy Halloween!! I hope it was safe for everyone! <3

A year and a half

     With everything that has been going on, I have been slacking. Plus, trying to blog from my phone during naps or at night isn't working out so well when it fails to publish and save. Many things have been going on.

     18 Months

          We had our 18 month appointment on Aug 19th and it was hard. We saw a new resident and a new nurse practioner. Our doctor switched sides of the office and got all new staff, the people I have seen for 20 years and I had hoped my daughter would grow to love, no longer see us. However, in a town where many people are doctorless, we still have one, so I shouldn't complain.
         The 18 month appointment was a check on her development and milestones versus health. It was an hour of questions and forms and judging. Yes, my daughter is tiny (23 lbs at 18 months) and doesn't talk and co-sleeps..but she is happy, eats like a horse and has never really been sick. They suggested speech therapy once she is past 2. Due to her walking early (10 months), her speech could be delayed and take a while to catch up. Instead of waiting that long, I self referred her to Early Expressions and she has an appointment in May 2015 (unless she gets a cancellation call). We are working with her and making her ask for things: "up please" "milk please" "I love you too" "good job" are just some of the mini sentences I am sure she has said, even if I can only understand.

The rest of the days

         The rest of the days have been spent learning and loving.We were even in a wedding, and she was the prettiest flower girl ever (and so well behaved). We have been working on colours, names of things, stacking, manners, and semi-attempting potty training. We have been going for walks, spending time outside and with friends and family. We have been on trips and just been enjoying the end of Summer. She has also been busy growing teeth. Kaelynn has 6 now and her canines are trying to pop through. It's amazing she has teeth now and so horrible on her bad days.

       I am feeling quite terrible that she seems to be scared of Hallowe'en. We took a walk one day with a friend and stopped in at Spirit Hallowe'en. As soon as we entered, she seemed tense. And then I made a mistake...

I stepped on a robot, thinking it just talked, and then her head went POP! She screamed and ran away. I picked her up and she cling onto me for dear life. Nothing would make her feel better, except for a Flounder (The Little Mermaid) trick or treat pail that I made her give to the cashier instead of buying. Even after we had left, I could still feel her clinging onto me. She now seems to be afraid of anything to do with it. Target and the Dollarama's sections seems to scare her, even cute little felted bats and glittery pumpkins. Daddy didn't seem to believe me until he walked down the spooky aisle of the Dollarama with her. She refused to touch anything and then she had a melt down once she saw the severed limbs. I know reassurance and exposure help with fears, but it's hard. Hopefully, she will be good for Trick Or Treating around the neighbourhood - especially since I DIY'd a pretty cute costume.

 

19 Months

      19 months was not much different than 18, but more of her huge personality is coming out. She's definitely the boss of the house. She is loving to her stuffed animals and babies. She offers them snacks and takes them on adventures when we go out. Her behaviour towards the cats is not so nice; she tries to step on them and gets mad when they touch her toys or come near her. She is more than happy to feed them in the morning though, going so far as to lead me to the bathroom and point at the cat food container.

     

 

                       We have some fun things coming up

                       This afternoon, we are going to the mall to see My Little Pony perform. I told her what the plan was this morning, and in her Spotty AMP diaper, she tried to lead me to the stairs all excited...until I told her we had to wait and get dressed.

                      October 4th, we are going to the Battersea Pumpkin Festival. I hope it's super fun. I have never been, but have heard great things from others.

Family Trip

      Yesterday, we took a trip to Quebec with friends to go to Mont Cascades.
Kaelynn traveled well and only got upset when she was tired. I felt so bad when she kept putting her arms up to ask for "out".

     We arrived, got changed and away we went. First stop was the wading pool. Kaelynn and daddy went in, to get her used to it. I then took her down a child slide. I let her go and followed down after her, bracing myself against the walls of the slide with my knees. An 18 month does not have enough weight to go down, so daddy suggested I just scoop her up. That worked, only I gave myself an amazing plastic burn on my wrist.

     I went down some slides and then switched off with daddy. While I was riding Black Magic and The Mammoth, daddy took Kaelynn to the splash pool and paddling pool. At the paddling pool, she LOVED the stairs.

     Lunch time.

     We decided to try to take her down the bigger rides. Success. No one stopped us and no one got hurt. First stop, Mammoth.
I carried Kaelynn up the hill, daddy and Mike rolled the giant tube up. There was a French family ahead of us, arguing with their possibly 4-5 year old son who didn't want to ride. We all went first. Mommy and baby climbed into the circle, then the guys. Mommy seatbelt engaged and we were flying down. Not a peep was made from Kaelynn.

     While we were on a roll, we did a 2 person ride: River Rapids. Daddy took Kaelynn down. I was so scared to do that. I would have to hold onto her and not the float. What if we both got dumped out because I wasn't holding on? I know daddy did the same ride last year with a kid a bit older. They went first, Mike and I followed. Apparently, Kaelynn looked back at Daddy with a WTF look at one point. We all arrived at the bottom alive.

     Daddy went on more slides with other children and we kept trading off. We went down bigger kiddie slides and there were no more plastic burns. I took Kaelynn to the children's rainforest and she was so unhappy. Water dripped down, like a shower, from every where. I took her down some slides and at the bottom, she.got splashed in face. She was stunned, but not crying.

     She ate all the food.
*1.5 pancakes before we left
*1/2 package of cookies in the car
*1/4 bag of Goldfish
*1/2 jam sandwich
*4 green bean pods
*almost a whole container of black berries (I had 5)
*3 watermelon balls (ice cream scoops)
*1/2 of my ice cream cone
*2 chicken nuggets and 3 fries for dinner

     It was almost time to go home. I recruited 3 others and we went down Tornado Alley. This time I did not scream "let me off" or " I dont want to do this anymore". It was still a roller coaster water slide, but I was less afraid, it was quicker, and I Lamaze breathed my way through it. I probably could have gone again, if there was time.

     All in all, it was a great day and can't wait for next summer. I was thinking we could even do their birthday package.

Wacky Wednesday

     Today was a busy busy day.  Daddy babywore Kaelynn on his back the whole way there.
     Little Ray's Reptile Zoo was having a demonstration at the local library. I found out about this last week and had planned for it, unfortunately, many mothers did not.
     We had to be at the library at 1pm to pick up free admission tickets for 2pm. There was a line when we got there and tickets were gone in 3 minutes.
     5 tickets in hand, we popped over to the mall for lunch and a quick errand.

     2pm and we go through the door. We sit near the front with the other children. Daddy hung off to the side. I am surprised that Kaelynn seemed interested in touching the reptiles, maybe because everyone else was. My friend and her daughter showed up late, and we made room. Daddy moved to the back.
     Kaelynn spent time playing with my camera, touching the reptiles as they came around, looking out the window, and babbling at her daddy from across the room.
    I am proud that even I touched them...and they freak me out.

     Afterwards, we came home and went for a swim. Somehow in all the clothes we have, I found a swim suit to fit my friend's daughter.

     Before dinner, she fell asleep. She stayed asleep while I transferred her to her high chair. I ate and then woke her up.

    Baby girl is happy and pooped.